Cloth guide



C. CORLEY ET AL CLOTH. GUDE Filed DSC. 17, 1950 ai". ax u May I, 1932.

Patented May 10, 1932 CLIFTON CORLEY .ND A. FLEMING, 0F GREENVILLE, SOUTH4 CAROLIN.

CLOTH GUIDE Y Application led December 17, 1930.V Serial No. 503,029;

This invention is .directed to animprovement in fabric guides commonly employed for maintaining the fabric in stretched condltion and directing it for uniformly straight travel 5. from one machine or positionrto another in the handling of fabric. Y Y

As ordinarily employed, the guides proper are formed to maintain the fabric under more or less transverse tensionto insure it traveling m in flat or slightly stretched, even condltion,

and further the guides provide means to insure the travel of the fabric'in a straight h ne and to automatically correct any substantial I deviation from this straight line travel during the movement of the fabric.` Y u Various devices have been proposed for this result, some of which are mechanically controlled, some pneumatically controlled, and others electrically controlled for the automatic direction of the fabric travel, but all such devices involved a very considerable complication of structure to insure automatic operation, by reason of which complication they are liable to derangement-and Vrequire considerable time, labor and expert knowledge to maintain in working condition. w Y

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a guide of this character 1n which the operating and control parts for the 0 automatic government of the guide are eX- tremelysimple, both as to character and number, involve no complication either in operation, adjustment or repair, andmaterially simplify and reduce theinitial cost ofthe article.

A further object of the invention is the provisionv of means automatically controlled by the fabric when moving out of the predetermined line oftravel to so operate the guiding elementsV as to insure thatthe fabric be instantly returned to the normal line of travel with more certainty. V- y A further; object of the invention is to utilize in connection with the guides a 'normally independent, freely rotatable element arranged beyond the predetermined line of travel of the fabric and within reach'of the edge of such fabric in the event of any `deviation from the predetermined line of travel, such element when 'in operation Vunderfcont tact from the moving fabric serving to dir-ectly operate a vsimple and mechanical construction, serving in turn to so affect the particular guide as to insure that the opposing guide will instantly return the` fabric to the predetermined line of travel. t

The inventionis illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which :-V

Figure l shows in elevation theV conventional form of guide, the respective guides being 60 provided with one type of mechanical control means forming part of the present invention. l

Figure 2 isa sectional view on the line 2 2` of Figure l,A showing in end elevation` the con- 05 trol means. ,Y Y Figurelis a perspective View ofanothery form ofguide showing a slightlymodified form of control means forming part of the present'invention. Y 7

Inthe form shown in Figures l and 2, the guiding means isi'illustrated as rollers 1 and' Y 2 mounted lfor rotation relative to a central vsupport 3 in which terminal spindles 4 of the respective rollers are'mounted and end sup- 75 ports 5 in which terminal spindles 6 of the respective rollers are mounted. The rollers .l n'd2are ofconical' form longitudinally, with the ends of leastdiameter arranged adf jacent 'each other and the rollers proper turn'- SU ing on axial lines which'incline downwardly and outwardly from the central support 3.

Thus the surface of theroller'over which the fabric passes inclines downwardly and outwardly from the center line of the fabric, with the resultant tendency'to spread the fabricin both directions fromA the center line andto exert a more or-less continual tension on the fabric in thesedirections. Thecombined axial length of the rollers `is substan- 99 tially. the width of the4 fabric being guided so that when the fabric isy traveling in the proper line direction, the marginal edges of thefa'bric are substantiallycoincident with the'rela-tively outer ends of the rollers.

'Loosely mounted 0n eachV end spindle 6 of each roll is a deflector'7 inthe form of a rollk of relatively short axial length and adiameter Vcorresponding to the maximum c diameter of the main roll. VThe de flecting roll is ar- '10 f. In

the brake drum 8, one terminal of the brake.

band 9 being secured to an extension 10 of the support 5, the opposite end being fixed relative to and designed for coiling on an auxiliary shaft 11 mounted in an upward Aextension 12 of the support 5.

Secured upon the inner end of tlie'auxiliary shaft is a gear 13, and cooperating with the gear 13 is a pinion 14 concentric with the stub shaft 6 but fixed to the deflecting roll 7. Aspring 15 coiled about the auxiliarysha-ft J`11 and terminally fixed to the gear 13 and to the support extension 12 is placed under ten- 'sion in the hereinafter described operation -of the parts and serves when tensioned to return the parts to normal position with certainty. i this form of the device. it is apparent that with the fabric to be guided traveling Vin the proper direction, it will. move over and rotate the main rolls 1 and 2. with the selvage or marginal ,ledges of the fabric adjacent the extreme outer ends of said main rolls.A nder these circumstances and incident to the inclination of the rolls, the fabric wil llbe y transversely tensioned. that is, maintained straifrht and flat and thus will proceed from one machine to the other in proper order.

Should the fabric bedeflected to one side lor the other from theproper course, the margin yof the Afabric in the'direction of deflection nwill rimmediately engage the defiecting roll 7, -which roll.I incidentY to its connection in the brake train and to its freedom of connection ,with the spindle 6, isnormally atrest. 'Ihe vcooperation of the moving fabric edge with *suchV deecting roll, however, tends to an immediate rotation of said roll, With theV "effect to operate the gear 13 through the pinion 14 and wind the brake band 9 onlthe auxiliary shaft sufficiently to apply the brake to the drum 8.A The drum 8 is fixed to the main roll spindle 6, `and the speed of the particular main roll underlying the 'fabric in the :direction ofdeflection is checked or stopped.

Its tendency, therefore, to maintainy the main roll 2, that is, moved toward the normalpredetermined path of travel.

The movement of the fabric continues in this direction until the particular deflecting ioll operated has released from contact with the fabric, whereupon the spring 15 restores the gear 13 to normal position, that is, moves it in a direction'opposite to its braking movement, releases the brake on the drum 8, and the Vmain roll 1, which has been checked by the braking operatiomis :again free to resume it normal rolling and guiding function Vwith respect to the fabric to maintain the fabric in proper line position. Of course, the deflecting controldescribed is arranged at therelative outer ends of the respective main rolls 1 and 24`so that on deflection of the fabric from theproper line of travel in either direction', the braking function ofthe main roll underlyingthe deflected fabric area will be immediately checked as described, permitting the remaining main roll to restore the fabric tol proper line travel. n

Of course, 4it isunderstood that a slight 'deflection of the Afabric'from the proper line of'travel williininediately check the corresponding main roll and permit the opposing main roll to immediately restore the fabric to straight line position. Thus the fabric is substantially maintained at all times in straight line position because under the slightestV deflection the restoration is so speedily performed that such slight deflection can have no appreciable effect on the travel V.of the fabric lwith respect to disarranging; 'it in connection with the machine .to which it is 'being delivered.

- In Figure 3, there is illustrated a slightly modified form of structure wherein the main rolls, instead of ,being arranged in the form;

shown in Figure 1, are provided as rolls 16 land 17 of comparatively short axial length Ywith respect to the width of the fabric being controlled, there being a pair of lsuch rolls arranged to engage each edge of the fabric tol be guided and the rolls being 'arranged at an angle to the line of travel of the fabric so that the' tendency 'of the rolls when in rolling contact'with the fabric is to draw the edge of the fabric engaged'by the rolls toward the rolls, thus maintaining the fabric under transverse spreading function and permitting the fabric to travel between the rolls while being guided and' laterally 'tensioned Thus each pair of Arolls exerts a pull on'the fabric toward the f* edge ofthe fabric engaged by those rolls, and as the rolls are in opposition, the fabric' is held transversely tensi'oned incident to the y `cooperaticm of the respective opposed pairs of spread of the fabric in the direction of its .axial inclination'is interrupted,.and as the ytendency of the remaining or vopposite main froll2, for example, remains normal, the; fabric will be immediately deflectedin the direc tion resultant from the opera-tion of this mounted yin a fixed ,frame .barry 1 9 ics fikse arranged to be secured to any suitabley fixture.

`or to which it is being delivered. This detail'is wholly unimportant and any desired arrangement to secure the proper relat1verd1sposition of the main guide rolls is contem plated.

In connection with the detail with which the invention is particularly involved, the spindle 18 of the lower main roll isv provided with a deflecting roll 20 loose on the spindle and arranged beyond the end of the `main roll and having a diameter identical with that of the main roll. The upper main roll 17 Vof each pair is mountedupon a spindle 21 terminally supported in a frame bar 22 swingingly or pivotally connected at 23 to the frame bar 19 remote from the main rolls, a spring24 connecting the frame bars 19 and 22 to insure tendency toward surface contact in ordinary operating conditions between the main rolls 1,6 and 17. The spindlev 18 of the vlower main roll 16 and theY spindle 21 of the cooperating upper main roll 17 provide supports for the ends of toggle levers 25 and 26 pivotally connected at their ends remote from the spindles, as at 27, thus providing a toggle connection between the spindles 18 and 21.

Supported upon an extension of the frame bar 19 is a gear 28 having an integral or relatively fixed drum extension 29 on which one terminal of a cord 30 is connected, the opposite terminal of the cord being connected to the joint 27 of the toggle levers 25 and 26. The deflecting roll 20,*which, as stated, is mounted for free rotation on the spindle'18 of the lower main roll 16, is provided with a pinion 31 concentric with the spindle 18 and lfixed with respect 'to the deflectingroll 20,

the pinion 31 being in operative engagement with the gear 28.

In the form shown in Figure 3, it will be understood that the respective sets of main rolls 16 and 17 tend to maintain the fabric in fiat condition under transverse tension and to insure that it will be permitted to travel in a proper predetermined path of movement toward the machine to which it is being delivered. The transverse tension on the fabric incident to the respective rolls operates in opposing directions relative to the longitudinal center line of the fabric. That is to say, one set of rolls tend to draw the fabric in one direction, while the opposing set of rolls tend to exert an equal drawing tendency on the fabric in the opposite direction. This stretches the fabric to a degree to maintain it fiat and exerts a more or less guiding pressure on the fabric. In the event the fabric is deflected from the predetermined path of movement, however, theselvage edge of such fabric will engage the deiiecting roll 20 of that set of rolls in the direction in which the fabric is being deflected.

As the moving fabric travels over the deflecting roll thus engaged, the piniony 31 operates .gear 28, taking up the c ord 30 and drawing upon the connected end of the toggle levers and immediately raising the upper' roll 17 with respect to the lower roll 16. As a result of this movement, the contact of the rolls 16 and 17 with respect to the upper and lower surfaces of the fabric is immediately released and these rolls fail to exert the transverse drawing. pressure or pull on the fabric.

The opposing main rolls, however, stillmaintain their drawing tension on the fabric, and as a result `of this drawing tension of said opposing pair of main rolls, the fabric is im. mediately drawn in a direction opposite that of its initial defiection from the line of travel, or in `other words the fabric is restored tovard a true line or path of movement. 'AAS the fabric moves in a direction inci-f dent to this drawing tendency vof the opposing pair `of main rolls, the defiected edge of the fabric leaves the particular deflecting roll previously operated and the spring24 tends to reverse the operation of the gear 28 by drawing downwardly on the spindle 21 of the upper roll, thus permitting the toggle to resume its normal position, restoring the rolls 16 and 17 to their proper contacting relation with the fabric, `restoring the transverse drawing tendency on the fabric, and thus maintaining the fabric in its true line of travel. Of course, it will be appreciated that the slightest deflection from the correct line of travel of the fabric will induce immediate operation of the particular lmain rolls affected and the opposing pairjof rolls willV Vmain rolls.

lf desired and as preferred, the frame19 maybe providedwith a stop 32 which will prevent' separation of the* main rolls 16 and 17 under the operation of the deliecting roll except to a limited degree, thus insuring that the rolls will separate only to the extent ofk the drawing contact with'the fabric and thus holding the rolls in position to be practically ,instantaneously restored to fabric-engaging contact on the release of the operative function of the deiiecting roll. The device thusv becomes substantially instantaneous in its effect as the slight deflection immediately relieves thev drawing tendency of one set of rolls and this Vdrawing tendency is immediately restored by the 'drawing tendency ofthe opposing set of rolls. The fabric will thus be maintained vin a true line of travel and any lateral deflection from such line will be im- 'cnediately ycorrected to ainsure ithat the lfabric roll, anselement actuatedibysaid gearing, and

uneans foperated by nthe @element :to interrupt :the fabric drawingitendency lof the trolls with which the :affected defiecting roll is .associat- ,fe'd '-.Without changing the normal linclination .of the roll with respect ito ithe 'line of .travel (of zthe y)fabric Ito thereby release :the fabric itollthe drawing itend'ency yof the opposing rols.

2. A fabric guide :including inclined :roller aneans-fcooperating `with the ifabric :and arranged Lto @exert an :opposing `transverse pull ion the fabric 'relative 'to the longitudinal center line/.of the fabric, :a :deecting `roll -associated each rol-ler rmeans and designed -to '.'be operated :through engagement lof 4the :fabnicitherewith the deflection oif the :fabfrom .theinoninal liinefof travel, :a gear :opierated in fthe movement of :a iparticu-lar desflecting rroll, `and .mechanism actuated by the ...gear tto interrupt the fabric drawingitendency fof the' particular associated roller means -With- Vout changing .the normal Arnclanation yof v:the

roll `with respect to the-line of :travel of the fabric to 'thereby :release 'the fabric vtto .the iinffiuence of :the I.opposed roller means lto refst'ore the fabric 'to thenornial :line vof''trav.el.

L. A .fabric guide iinc'ludfingv rollers runder- Aal-ying the fabric and operated in the move ,merit of :the ffabric,saidrrolflers being iinclined relatively to exert an opposed dravving tendfencyon the' -fabric [relative to the `longitudinal me diari lliine l.ther.eof,1a defiector roll' associated withl each main roll, :said :deflector roll -bei'ngxnomnally :free 'of fabric and Jadapted to bel-engaged :and .operated iby the fabric when deflected from the normal line of travel thereof, braking 'mechanismv .for interrupting the movement fof the lniain rolls, .and means whereby the operation lof a particular :delfiecting roll Wil-l set the :brake on-the associated :main .-roll.

Y, 4. A fabric guide including fsets `of .main zrollslengagingthe respectivefedges of the fabric and respectively exerting thereon opposing transverse pull relative to the longitudifnal median lineof travel, one .roll ofeach set 1being bodily movable with respect to the fotheryrolloftheset,:a toggle lever connecting ithe rolll1s,;a gear operating to nieve :the toggle f eminem Slever t'o compel .bodily relative movement of the :main rolls, la rdeflecting rolf-l .associated :with each 'set :of .main rolls and :adaptedlto be iengagedsand operatedlbyzthe fabricin lateral fdeflecton .of fthe `fabric -in Ythe predetermined iline olf travel olf fthe fabric, and means opierated the `d'eiecting roll `to.actuate said gear.

5. A cloth :guide '.inciuding sets of main irollls 'having ifric'tional engagement With the opposing .edges fof the fabric to be Lguided :and respectively Vexerting iopposing :pull Aon the fabric relative to the-longitudinal median Aline"l;iereof,1one off eachiof Ythezsets fofrnain :rolls beting bodily movable with respect to :the other of such rolls, :a y:toggle lever y.connecting (the .spindles .of the -said rolls, :a gear, :a :cord ioperated in the movement tof the igear Ltofactuatethe toggle to .separate ithefsaid rolls to a .degreefto avoid frctionail Contact with the fabric, a .deflector :roll cooperating lwith eachfset .of 'main rdlls andadapted tobefen- .gagcd iand operated by ,the fabric on dettlection yof the fabric from the normal fline of itrave'l, :and 1.a zpinion connected With Vlthe .de- .ffiector roll y.to'operate the gear.

6. A 'cloth fguide including .sets of :main .rolls having frictional engagement with :the opposingedgesofithe fabriclto'begguidedand :respectively -exerting opposing pull lon the fabric .relative to 'the longitudinal rmedian line ithereof,.one=o1f :each of the :sets .of :main rolls being bodily movable with respect to the *other of such rolls, -a toggle leverconnecting the spindles of the Vsaid rolls, 'a gear, a

tures.

CLIFTQN CORLEY. 1[:L..s.] ELMER A. FLEMING [n s] 

